Car Insurance Calculator: Estimate Your Car Insurance Cost
Car insurance cost calculator
Car Insurance Coverage Calculator
Our tool calculates your customized insurance rates.
We'll show you the average cost of our recommendation, or the cost of a policy you customize yourself.
First, let’s see what the minimum coverage requirements are in your state.
Use our car insurance calculator to estimate the cost of your personalized insurance policy.
Car insurance estimates by company
State Farm is the cheapest national car insurance company.
Erie, Country Financial and USAA have the cheapest car insurance overall. But they're not available to everyone. Erie and Country Financial only sell car insurance in some states, and USAA is only available if you have military ties.
Full coverage car insurance estimates
Find Cheap Auto Insurance Quotes Near You
Cheapest
Average
Most expensive
Companies | Monthly rate | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Erie | $115 | |
| Country Financial | $125 | |
| State Farm | $134 | |
| Mercury | $142 | |
| Auto-Owners | $145 | |
| USAA* | $110 | |
*USAA car insurance is only available to members of the military, veterans and their families.
Car insurance estimates are a good starting point. But your rates will vary because quotes are based on factors like your age, your driving record, where you live and the coverage you choose. And each company has its own way of calculating your rate.
Estimates for car insurance by state
Where you live is a big factor in how much you pay for car insurance. For example, in Nevada, the most expensive state for car insurance, full coverage insurance costs $183 more per month than in the cheapest state, Maine.
How to calculate your car insurance costs
How to estimate car insurance costs
To estimate the cost of car insurance, first you have to decide what kinds of coverage you need.
The best car insurance coverage for you depends on your budget, your car's value and your state's requirements.
The most basic car insurance coverages pay for damage you cause in an accident. These are called bodily injury liability and property damage liability coverage. You may also need to protect your own car with collision and comprehensive coverage if you have a car loan or lease.
Before deciding which insurance coverages to add, compare cost estimates for each coverage type. Then, review your auto insurance estimates yearly to find the cheapest rates and decide if you need different coverage.
Bodily injury liability
Bodily injury liability coverage pays for other drivers' medical costs and lost wages if you cause an accident.
Most states require bodily injury liability coverage.
Limit per person | Limit per accident | Monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| $25,000 | $50,000 | $43 |
| $50,000 | $100,000 | $50 |
| $100,000 | $300,000 | $56 |
| $250,000 | $500,000 | $72 |
Property damage liability
Property damage liability pays for damage to other people's property if you cause an accident. This includes crashing into another car or object.
Each state has its own requirement for property damage liability. The requirement typically ranges from $5,000 to $25,000.
Limit per accident | Monthly cost |
|---|---|
| $25,000 | $34 |
| $50,000 | $35 |
| $100,000 | $35 |
You should usually choose higher property damage limits, if you can afford it. If you cause a serious accident, $25,000 probably won't be enough money to fully replace the other driver's car. For just $15 per year more, you could get $100,000 of coverage, which should be enough to cover the cost of most brand-new cars.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage
Uninsured and underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage pays your medical bills if you're in an accident caused by an uninsured or underinsured driver.
It can also cover lost wages and pay for someone to do household tasks you can no longer perform yourself. This can include cleaning your house or babysitting.
Fourteen states require uninsured motorist coverage. and Washington, D.C. require both uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage.Limit per person | Limit per accident | Monthly cost |
|---|---|---|
| $25,000 | $50,000 | $5 |
| $50,000 | $100,000 | $6 |
| $100,000 | $300,000 | $9 |
| $250,000 | $500,000 | $15 |
Comprehensive and collision coverage
Full coverage insurance includes comprehensive and collision coverage.
Collision coverage pays for your car repairs after an accident, no matter who's at fault. Comprehensive coverage pays for damage to your car caused by things outside of your control, like a fallen branch or vandalism.
Comprehensive and collision coverages have no limit, other than the value of your car.
You'll need this coverage if you have a loan or lease. But it's expensive, often doubling the cost of insurance.
Coverage type | Deductible | Monthly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Collision | $500 | $71 |
| Collision | $1,000 | $55 |
| Comprehensive | $500 | $30 |
| Comprehensive | $1,000 | $25 |
What factors do insurance companies use to calculate your car insurance cost?
Insurance companies calculate your car insurance rate based on several factors. For instance, companies use your age and accident history to determine your "riskiness" as a driver. Young drivers and people with a ticket or accident typically pay more for insurance than someone older or with a clean driving record.
Factors that affect car insurance estimates
Younger drivers tend to pay more for car insurance, and this is especially true for teens. This is because young drivers have less experience behind the wheel and are more likely to cause a crash.
Your rates will go down as you get older. But young drivers can save money by signing up for usage-based driving programs and practicing safe habits.
You'll usually pay more for insurance after a ticket, DUI or accident.
The best way to find cheap rates after a ticket or accident is to compare quotes from multiple companies. Every company calculates rates differently, and some may raise your rates less after a ticket or accident.
It's cheaper to insure cars that are older, slower or safer.
If your car insurance rates are unaffordable, consider trading in your car for a vehicle that's cheaper to cover.
People who drive less tend to pay lower rates. If you drive fewer than 12,000 miles per year, you may be able to save money with pay-per-mile car insurance.
Married people often pay slightly less for car insurance than unmarried drivers.
In addition, you'll pay much more if you have a teenager on your policy. You can find the cheapest family car insurance policy by shopping around for quotes from multiple companies.
Higher coverage limits and extra add-ons will raise your car insurance rates. To lower your rates, eliminate coverage you don't need.
For example, comprehensive and collision insurance can be costly. If you don't have a car loan or lease, consider removing these coverages if your car is over 8 years old or worth less than $5,000.
Raising your deductible can save you money. But make sure to choose a deductible you can easily afford to pay after an emergency.
The best companies nationally may not have the cheapest car insurance near you. You should compare quotes from small and midsize companies in your area along with major car insurance companies to find the best rates.
The best way to get cheaper rates is to improve your credit score. But that can take some time.
In the short term, try to find a company that offers lots of discounts you can easily qualify for. You can also consider a usage-based car insurance program if you typically practice safe driving habits.
How can you get cheaper auto insurance estimates?
To find the most affordable insurance, get quotes from several companies. Also, look for discounts for bundling or automatic payments.
Compare quotes from multiple companies. Car insurance rates can differ by an average of $245 per month for full coverage from one company to the next. Get quote estimates from large insurance companies like State Farm and Geico and smaller ones like Erie and Farm Bureau.
Look for discounts. Most companies, especially large ones like Geico or State Farm, have a lot of discounts available. These discounts can add up to savings of 40% or more. And you may already qualify for many of them.
If you live with other drivers, consider a multicar policy. Adding another person to your insurance plan is cheaper than having two separate policies. You can share a multicar policy with anyone you live with.
Bundle with other insurance. Most major insurance companies offer the option to bundle your home or cheapest renters insurance with your auto insurance. Choosing a bundle deal can get you a discount on your total insurance cost for both policies.
Shop around every year. If your life situation or driving record has changed since you bought your policy, you may be able to get a cheaper rate. Improving your credit score, getting married or staying accident-free might help you save.
Calculate how much auto insurance you need
How much car insurance you need depends first on your state's minimum required coverage and how much protection you want.
Most states require:
- $20,000–$25,000 of bodily injury liability insurance per person
- $40,000–$50,000 of bodily injury liability insurance per accident
- $10,000–$25,000 of property damage liability insurance
Some states also require uninsured motorist coverage or personal injury protection (PIP).
Start with your state's minimum required insurance, then add higher coverage amounts and extra coverage options based on what you can afford. It doesn't cost much to add more liability coverage to your policy. It can also help you avoid a big bill if you cause a major crash.
How much insurance should you get?
The right amount of auto insurance coverage depends on your budget and driving background.
For example, you can typically double your liability coverage limits for $10 to $15 per month. This can help you avoid expensive bills after a crash, like if you hit an electric vehicle.
On the other hand, if you drive an older car that's not worth much, you won't need collision and comprehensive coverage.
The minimum liability requirement may be enough to cover the costs of a minor accident. However, it won't be enough for repairs after a major accident. Consider getting more coverage if you can afford it.
Average claim amounts
Claim type | Average claim amount |
|---|---|
| Bodily injury liability | $26,501 |
| Property damage liability | $6,551 |
| Collision | $5,470 |
| Comprehensive | $2,306 |
Data is from a 2023 study from the Insurance Services Office.
Frequently asked questions
How much should car insurance cost?
The average cost of car insurance in the United States is $175 per month for a full coverage policy. Minimum liability coverage typically costs around $69 per month. However, your rates will vary based on where you live, your insurance company, what kind of car you have and your driving history.
How do I estimate car insurance costs?
The best way to estimate the cost of auto insurance is to use our online car insurance calculator. By answering three easy questions, you can estimate your car insurance rates based on your location, your car and how much coverage you need.
How much car insurance do I need?
At the very least, you need enough car insurance to meet the minimum legal requirements in your state. However, you should buy more coverage if you drive a lot, have a newer car or are paying off a car loan or lease.
What kind of car insurance should I get?
Nearly every state requires you to have liability insurance, which pays for injuries to other people and property damage. But it's worth it to pay more for full coverage if your car is worth more than $5,000 or less than 8 years old. Higher limits and extra coverage can also help you avoid unexpected bills after a crash.
Methodology
ValuePenguin's car insurance calculator is based on millions of car insurance quotes from every ZIP code in the U.S., using multiple coverage limits. Rates are for a 30-year-old man with good credit and a good driving history who owns a 2015 Honda Civic EX.
Insurance analysts and agents recommended matching a driver's net worth to their coverage. Estimates from our calculator default to higher coverage limits for higher-net-worth drivers.
Our editors gathered quotes from ZIP codes across Georgia using the same driver profile above to calculate costs for each coverage type. Claim payouts are based on a 2020 study from the Insurance Services Office.
Rate data was compiled using Quadrant Information Services. Your quotes may differ, as these rates are averages and are best used only for comparative purposes.
About the Author
Senior Writer
Lindsay Bishop is a Senior Writer at ValuePenguin, where she educates readers about home, auto, renters, flood and motorcycle insurance.
Lindsay began her career in the insurance and financial industry in 2010. She was a licensed auto, home, life and health insurance agent and held Series 6 and 63 financial licenses.
After a hiatus from the financial sector, Lindsay returned to the industry as a content writer for ValuePenguin in 2021. She enjoys having the opportunity to help readers make smart decisions about their insurance so they can be prepared for anything life throws their way.
When Lindsay isn't writing about insurance, you can find her spending time with family, enjoying the outdoors on Sunday long runs or riding her Peloton.
How insurance helped Lindsay
As a homeowner for 15 years located in South Carolina, Lindsay has plenty of experience navigating the coastal insurance market and managing the claims process. That includes successfully negotiating a full roof replacement claim.
Expertise
- Home insurance
- Car insurance
- Flood insurance
- Renters insurance
- Motorcycle insurance
Referenced by
- CNBC
- Yahoo Finance
- Miami Herald
Education
- BS/BA Economics, University of Nevada Las Vegas
Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author's opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.
